Page 126 of Such Sharp Teeth

“What?”

“When you first got back. That’s why I was at the bar that night. I took Mia. She bailed early. Got all weird and flustered, then just up and left. Half hour later you showed up. Like I said, nothing happened.”

“Then why didn’t you mention it?”

“I wasn’t thinking about it. It was inconsequential.”

“That’s not how she made it sound,” I mumble, ashamed because I know in my bones he’s telling the truth.

“When? Why didn’t you ask me about it?” He shakes his head. “Don’t bother answering. I know why. You’re looking for any excuse. Any out. And it’s fine. I get it.”

“You’re wrong,” I tell him. “I don’t want out. I want you.”

The smokers are all listening. Watching. I’m keenly aware. We’re putting on a real show.

Ian sighs. “I wish I could believe you. I know about Brian.”

“Who’s Brian?”

“The Corner Pub.”

“You mean Kevin?”

“Who’s Kevin?”

“I’m confused,” I say. “This is all beside the point.”

“Rory, it’s okay. I get it. You don’t have feelings for me. You never have. You never will. We’re cool. If you want attention, you don’t need me for it. Think you already know that.”

What I want to say is You don’t understand! I do have feelings for you! The most feelings!

What comes out is “Fuck you.”

He takes it on the chin.

“Yeah,” he says with a mild laugh. “Fuck me.”

He turns to leave.

“Wait,” I say. I grab his arm. Too hard.

When he turns back, he’s wincing.

“Sorry,” I say. “I’m sorry.”

“Yeah,” he says. “Me, too.”

This time when he turns to leave, I let him go.

I look over at the smokers, who don’t bother to pretend like they weren’t listening.

“Fuck him!” one of them says.

“Thanks. Appreciate the support.”

There’s suddenly a warm hand on my bare back, pointy nails traversing my vertebrae.

“That was rough.”